Friday 5th March

The pay gap is increasing and men in managerial positions are now taking home 17% more than their female counterparts, according to a report published yesterday (read article in Castillian here, La Vanguardia). The only area in which there is practically no difference is in commercial salaries, which tend to be much more performance-related. The report, published by human resources group, ICSA, in collaboration with business school Esade highlights the negative consequences of Spain’s economic crisis and its dramatic effects on equality. In previous years the pay gap had been getting narrower and in 2007 stood at 12%.

Three people in their seventies will be awarded 12,000 euros each in damages for the seven years of abusive practices carried out against them by the company that owns the building they live in (read article in Castillian here, El País). The company’s intention was to force them out of their rented homes in Ciutat Vella. Practices included systematically changing the place where their rent was to be paid, and allowing apartments in the building to be used for prostitution. The Ajuntament currently has a number of similar “mobbing” cases and has passed a protocol which will speed up the judicial process when the people involved are elderly and have few economic resources.

The lack of doctors in Spain is getting worse owing to the large numbers that are leaving to work abroad. It is estimated that there are currently more than 8,000 Spanish doctors practising in other countries (read article in Castillian here, El País). This situation will worsen dramatically over the years, according to the national health institution, Sanidad. Whereas, in 2008 the deficit was 3,300, this figure is likely to reach 25,000 by 2025. The solution, according to Maravillas Izquierdo, one of the report’s authors, is to offer better working conditions. These include higher salaries, more research opportunities and better working hours.